The one question that seems to always bother me most when speaking with leads, as well as clients, is when I'm asked "can you guarantee me the #1 position in Google?" The problem is that there are several uncontrollable factors that come into play when trying to rank a website, and that such guarantees should not be made. Granted, there is much we can do to influence search rankings, but the decision of which websites rank and where will always be up to the search engines.

The one question that seems to always bother me most when speaking with leads, as well as clients, is when I'm asked "can you guarantee me the #1 position in Google?" I hate this question for 2 simple reasons. First of all, asking this question informs me that the company is unaware of the complexities involved with ranking websites. This usually means bursting their bubble, and having to spend several hours helping them to understand the true nature of the SEO process.

Second, asking this question likely means that another "SEO company" has already made such a promise - I use the term "SEO company" loosely. This usually means me having to explain that the other company was wrong in making such a claim, and now it becomes a "he said, she said" issue for the client. While I do understand that neither of these reasons result in the lead/client being at fault, it still becomes an issue in which I dread dealing with.

For those not familiar with the SEO process, the problem is that there are several uncontrollable factors that come into play when trying to rank a website, and that such guarantees should not be made. Granted, there is much we can do to influence search rankings, but the decision of which websites rank and where will always be up to the search engines. In this case, we're left up to the discrepancy of Google.

Having explained this to many clients previously, I've become pretty good at doing so. However, I have also come pretty good at knowing when my explanation is going to fall on deaf ears. Leads/Clients get their heads filled with the notion that SEO is cheap, quick, and easy, and sometimes I can't bring them down from that. This means losing the sale to a company that sold them a false idea of the SEO process.

In fact, sometimes the client is so far gone that I simply say "I'm sorry. Our company does not make such guarantees. I understand that another company has, but they were wrong to do so. While I do not recommend it, if you'd like to risk your search engine reputation and visibility by choosing 'Company A', that's your right. I will be here to help when your website is either banned from the search results, or when your pockets are near empty and you've yet to accomplish your marketing goals.

This might seem a little bold, but I'm in favor of being a straight-shooter. I believe if companies are going to work together, such honesty will be needed and very much appreciated.

I'm with you bud. I can't promise that kind of turn around for SEO services either, and am unsure on how or why so many other "SEOs" can offer such a time-frame.

Typically, my team and I usually quote 2 or 3 months before the client can expect to see results. Now this is also dependant on their particular industry (some being easier to rank for and others not), but we find that 2 - 3 months is a pretty safe average.

Most of People used to pay large amount for rank 1 in Google Search results. Google officially said that no website can get rank 1 position with Search engine optimizers tricks. Each website ranked based on the change in algorithms naturally but it may takes several months.